LIVERPOOL star Cody Gakpo was one goal away from joining one of two sides who were struggling in the Premier League.
Gakpo, who linked with Leeds and Southampton before his Anfield move, said he let fate decide his future and “asked God for a sign.”
ESPNCody Gakpo was one goal away from joining Leeds or Southampton in April 2022[/caption]
The forward revealed he left his PSV future up to fateGetty
Several pieces had to fall into place for Gakpo to sign for Liverpool – including a hat-trick scored by chance.
Manchester United explored the possibility of signing him when a deal for Ajax attacker Antony proved difficult.
But when United appeared to pull out of the race for Gakpo, the forward had three options left in 2022: join Leeds, the Saints or stay at PSV.
Gakpo told ESPN that he used a league game against Volendam to make his mind up in an extraordinary way.
The 25-year-old said: “I prayed, and I asked God for guidance. But you see, I had to make sure I got his message.
“So I said, ‘If I score only once I’ll go to Southampton…. If I score twice, I’ll go to Leeds…. If I score three times, I’ll stay.”
The striker added: “The next day we played, and I scored twice. I was also involved in a third goal — and at first, it was called as an own goal.
“Then I was subbed out. So, two goals, right? I thought, Ah, OK, it’s Leeds then. I was at peace with my decision.
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“As I was sitting on the bench, I told my friend, Jordan Teze, who now plays for Monaco, the whole story.
“He was like, ‘If God wants you to stay, that own goal will be awarded to you.’
“It was like a coin toss, waiting to see what they decided. It could have gone either way!
“But after the game, they gave me the goal. I scored three, so my fate changed. I stayed at PSV.”
Gakpo reportedly refused to get on a plane to Leeds Bradford Airport in 2022, according to Dutch journalist Rik Elfrink.
The decision to bide his time appears to have benefitted Gakpo.
The Dutchman joined Liverpool from PSV Eindhoven in the 2023 January transfer window.
After a rocky start, he has since made more than 100 appearances for the Reds, scoring 27 goals.
Gakpo already has 14 goals this season after scoring 16 last term.
His brace against Ipswich on Saturday made it five goals in his last six Premier League matches.
Liverpool travel to Gakpo’s former side PSV in their final Champions League group fixture of the season.
AFPGakpo scored two against Ipswich on Saturday[/caption] Creator – [#item_custom_dc:creator]
